Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy or 8 Bit Theater. (so far, the only characters I technically own are the Light Warrior Replicas and he White Mage and Black Belt Replicas)
Just for the sake of a quick recap, I'm putting some character profiles here for major characters [so far], but feel free to skip this part if you wanna jump right into the story.
Fighter- The most enthusiastic of the Light Warriors, but certainly not the brightest
Black Mage- A magic user with a real evil steak, and spends most of his time trying to get White Mage's attention, he is now allowed to use MORE than one Hadoken per day
Thief- A clever and witty pickpocket who is hiding something from everyone else
Red Mage- A noble magic user who is obsessed with quests and statistics
White Mage- A pure and innocent servant of the holy, she plays a key role in the Light Warriors' destinies
Black Belt- An expert in martial arts and somewhat like White Mage's guardian, what could be in store for him in the future?
The Light Warrior Replicas- They go by the names of Matt (Fighter's replica), Toby (Black Mage's replica), Marcus (Thief's replica), and Felipe (Red Mage's replica). Since they are creations of Sarda, they believe that they are the real Light Warriors and that our heroes are the replicas
Sarda- The Vice Principal of 8 Bit Academy, and also one of the most powerful sages in all existence...and is often referred to by the Light Warriors as a jackass
The Principal- The mysterious principal who is in charge of 8 Bit Academy, and predicts the destinies of the Light Warriors. Who IS The Principal?
The Dark Warriors - Consists of Garland, Bikke, Drizz'l, and Vilbert von Vampire. They are regular students at the Academy, but spend much time plotting against the Light Warriors.
The White Mage and Black Belt Replicas - They go by Rebecca (White Mage Replica) and Jared (Black Belt Replica), and like the Light Warrior Replicas, Sarda created them for reasons unknown.
The Disciplinary Committee - They consist of Seifer (the leader), Raijin, Fujin, and Vivi. They have been selected by the Dark Warriors to be part of their team in the annual ball game.
Hayner, Pence, and Olette - Their origins are not very well known, but their self-appointed leader (Hayner) has been at Seifer's throat for a long time, and has expressed interest in playing against them in the annual game.
Tifa- A free-spirited young woman who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Cloud – A dark young man who seems to be in search of someone.
Tidus – A young man who accompanies Tifa and Cloud, both of whom were dragged to Elfland by Prince Elf (aka Thief)
Kary- Fiend of Fire with six arms and a snake's lower body. She is conspiring with Astos in the depths of Mt. Gurgu.
Astos – Posed as the Supreme Chancellor of Elfland, but is actually the King of the Dark Elves, who is looking to take over Elfland.
Dr. Malpractice – The crooked doctor who has been overseeing the King's condition for the past year, and to a certain extent, helps the Chancellor (Astos) with his evil scheme.
Zell - The same idiot who helped Fighter and friends retrieve the Earth Orb has now accompanied them to Elfland
The Dwarves – A race of bearded men and the sworn enemies of the Elves due to the confusion of whom the Earth Orb really belongs to.
Rune – The Master Court Wizard and a close friend of the King of Elfland.
If Astos had not known what the Blizzaga Level 100 spell could do, he would be laughing with Kary, but he wasn't. She underestimated something that was held inside a bottle.
"Well, at least I get to kill one of you," said Kary, glaring at Black Belt, "It's been entirely too long since I have."
"What matters is that the Light Warriors…fulfill their destiny…" said Black Belt, throwing the bottle towards them. Black Belt backed away a little bit, but couldn't really go far since he was so greatly injured. Astos attempted to make a run for it, knowing what could happen. Kary charged towards Black Belt, not realizing that everything in the cavern started to freeze. Her arms were succumbing to the ice shards growing on them, along with the rest of her body. Black Belt and Astos were also having ice shards grow on them. In a matter of time, they would all be frozen solid, which pretty much meant death.
Black Belt looked up prepared to meet whatever deity good souls were greeted by when they die. He knew he had made the ultimate sacrifice, and hoped to all things good that it would not be in vain.
When the Light Warriors and co. were far enough, they turned back to look at the mountain. Rune had not been exaggerating about its power. They soon saw frost coming through the rock of the volcano. From the inside, the lava turned to ice. Snow began to cover the volcano, turning it into a frosty mountain. Mt. Gurgu was now a non-active volcano.
"Poor Black Belt," said Red Mage, "It must be an incredible burden to forever remain frozen inside the bowels of Mt. Gurgu."
"Yeah, well, at least he took those jackasses Astos and Kary down with him," said Black Mage.
"You seem kinda happy for such a sad moment," said Fighter.
"Of course I am," retorted Black Mage, "Black Belt's dead, he took Astos and Kary down with him, and since we retrieved the Fire Orb without old "wet-ass" Sarda telling us to, we're bound to get some kind of big reward! It's a win-win for everyone!"
"You monster!" cried White Mage, "How can you speak that way of Black Belt? He gave his life so that you could live and fulfill your quest!"
"If you think about it, it's really his fault," said Black Mage, "No one told him to sacrifice himself, he just did."
White Mage already had her hands on her giant hammer, about ready to hit Black Mage.
"So now that the mission is over, we gonna make out or what?" asked Black Mage.
White Mage had enough. She began to chase Black Mage around with the hammer. Everyone else continued to travel back towards Elfland. Vivi and Fighter were starting to bond.
"Have I told you the other 347 things I like about swords?" asked Fighter.
"That's a lot of reasons for something like that," said Vivi, humoring Fighter.
Thief and Red Mage happened to notice something was bugging Cloud. Although they could really care less, their curiosity got the best of them.
"What's eating you, man?" asked Thief.
Cloud looked to his right to see Thief asking his question. Red Mage was to his left with the same expression.
"I'm just planning ahead for what I need to do once we get back to Elfland," replied Cloud, deciding to talk to the two of them.
"What's there to plan?" asked Red Mage, "It's simple! We get back, get everyone else, find that deathtrap we got here in…"
"Or just get a nicer ship," said Thief, interrupting Red Mage.
"Either way," continued Red Mage, "once we have a mode of transportation, we return the Fire Orb to the Academy where we will be hailed as heroes! I can hear the cries now! 'Yay, Red Mage!' 'Hooray for Red Mage!' 'You saved us all, Red Mage!'"
"Now I'm all about taking credit for things my subordinates do," said Thief, "But in this case, you did almost nothing worth bragging about. I'm pretty much the only one carrying the burdens of this mission…well, except maybe Black Belt, may he rest in peace."
"You all enjoy your victory," said Cloud, "I have other things to do."
"What else do you mean?" asked Red Mage.
"I have to leave the Academy for a while," said Cloud, "assuming I live to come back…though I don't plan on failing."
"Failing what?" asked Thief.
"I ran into the one I've been hunting for the past five years," explained Cloud, "And almost as quickly as I found him, he escaped…and he took someone I thought I lost those years ago…I can't rest knowing she's alive and in his clutches."
"Is that where you were while we were fighting Kary?" asked Thief.
"I didn't even notice," said Red Mage.
"And that's why I'm the one considered team leader," said Thief.
"No need to brag about it, Thief," said Red Mage, "Why, I easily have as much leadership as you! I'm capable of leading the Light Warriors!"
"Care to make a wager?" asked Thief.
"What kind of wager are we talking?" asked Red Mage.
"I'll relieve myself of all leadership duties for ONE day," explained Thief, "If you can prove you can lead the team all by your onesy self, I'll…give you stat boosts."
"Awesome!" exclaimed Red Mage.
"But if you can't, and probably won't, your tax will go up from 10% to 25%," replied Thief.
"Tax?" asked Cloud.
"He charges us tax for every time we earn gold," said Red Mage.
"I also have first dibs on any treasures we find," added Thief.
"It's all in that contact Fighter signed," said Red Mage.
"Rrright," said a confused Cloud.
It wasn't long before the Light Warriors and co. returned to their guest rooms in stately Elf Castle. By this time, Hayner, Pence, Olette, and the Disciplinary Committee (along with Tifa, Zell, and Tidus), started to wake up after the effects of the Sleep spell wore off. They thought they were just naturally waking up, but it took an explanation from Vivi and Black Mage to convince them of what really happened.
"You put us under a Sleep spell?" asked Seifer.
"You used magic on us and didn't include us in your plans?" asked Zell.
"Rotten," said Fujin.
"Yeah, that's not cool, y'know?" said Raijin.
"Well we needed to do this with as little setbacks as possible," said White Mage, "Too many people would be unnecessary."
"And why exactly did Vivi get to go?" asked Hayner.
"Because he knows Sleep spells, so he's unable to be affected by it," replied Black Mage, "I'm just glad I was able to remind you all about that interesting little tidbit."
"You're the one who forgot that interesting little tidbit," said Thief, to which everyone else laughed.
"Remind me to stab you once we get back to the Academy," said Black Mage.
"Yeah, speaking of which," said Pence, "How are we gonna get back there?"
"I doubt we can use the same ship we came here in," replied Tifa.
"I'm sure I can convince the Royal Guards to find some mode of transportation for us," said Thief.
"Oh yeah, you're the Prince around here," said Hayner, just remembering who Thief actually was.
"I still don't get that," said Tidus, scratching his head.
"Then you must bleed," said Black Mage, unsheathing his blade.
"You always say that to everyone, Black Mage," said Fighter.
"No I don't," replied Black Mage, "Those were completely different words."
"Well where did Cloud go?" asked Tifa.
"He's getting some kind of map to do some hunting," replied Thief.
"He's going after a guy with a really damn long sword," said Fighter, "He may have the longer sword, but I have the knowledge of sword-chuckery!"
"Sword-chuckery?" asked Black Mage, "Dammit Fighter, at least come up with a better name for you inane technique?"
"Well ok, so that's Cloud," said Olette, "But where's Black Belt?"
The room suddenly fell silent. The Light Warriors and Vivi all looked down to the ground. The long, awkward silence told everyone else exactly what they dreaded hearing.
Rune and the other Court Wizards used all the magic they could conjure to make the Elf Cruiser fully operational again, no matter how damaged it appeared on the outside.
"This should safely get you back to the Academy, Prince Elf," said Rune, "It's a shame we couldn't help your Black Belt friend."
"Can we just go now?" shouted Black Mage, "This whole country stinks of elf!"
"Well Corneria stinks of humans!" Thief shouted back.
"And of Black Mage!" exclaimed Fighter.
Everyone (including Rune and excluding Black Mage) found this to be humorous and took time to laugh.
"That's it!" shouted Black Mage, "Another Hadoken coming up!"
Suddenly, Black Mage fell face first to the ground, carried onto the ship by Fighter.
"Was that a Sleep spell?" asked Thief, "I thought those who could cast it were untouchable by it."
"Ordinarily so," replied Rune, "But our magic is a step above his."
"Not surprising," said Thief, "I'll return to Elfland with an antidote for my father as soon as I can!"
"Godspeed, Prince Elf!" shouted Rune.
Rune and the Court Wizards continue to wave at the ship as it took off from Elfland back towards the Academy. Somewhere not far from there, in the cloudy mist of the cliffs outside Mt. Gurgu, someone else watched the Elf Cruiser fly off. A fit man who had been to Hell and back, despite his frozen assets. It can't be said for sure who he was, except that it his shady appearance through the mist made him appear as if he was from the Great Beyond…
"I'll be back", he said.
To be continued in the next arc...